Page 122 of All Our Secrets

“It seems to be a one-sided conversation. You’re coming here every day pounding on her door. If she’s not answering, I think that means she doesn’t want to see you.”

I sighed. “If she truly wanted me off the property, she would have told me.”

“If you don’t get off my son’s property, I’ll remove you myself. I won’t stand here and tolerate your behavior.”

This place belonged to Peyton now. I could be cruel but chose not to be.

“I’m not looking for trouble.” I pointed toward the door. “What I care about is inside this house. I’m just trying to make peace with her.”

The old man’s jaw tightened. “I always knew. The way you watched Peyton wasn’t right, even when she was with Theodore. I never expected you to be such a piece of shit. I guess you really are your mother’s son.”

I froze, then slowly arched a brow as the anger crept up my neck. “What did you say?”

“You heard me. Your mother chased after everyone’s husbands. Now look at you. Doing the same to your best friend’s wife.”

“I’ve had nothing but respect for you, Gerald, but you know nothing about Peyton and me. And if you think I’ll ever walk away from her, you’re wrong.”

“Leave, King. You’ve disrespected my boy enough.” When I did no such thing, his nostrils flared. “You have thirty seconds to leave before I call the cops.”

The door opened. The red puffiness around Peyton’s eyes killed my soul.

“That’s not needed,” she said to Gerald before looking at me. “Please, go. You shouldn’t be here.”

“You shouldn’t either,” I told her, holding her gaze. I was starved for the sight of her.

Her breath hitched and her mouth parted.

“I’ve had enough.” Gerald grabbed my arm, tearing my gaze from Peyton.

I jerked out of his hold. “Don’t, old man. Let me talk to my woman, then I’m gone.”

“You can’t be doing this,” Peyton murmured, wrapping her arms around her middle. “And I’m not yours.”

“You are,” I said sternly. “Your anger can’t outfight my love.”

Her head lowered and she quickly wiped her eyes. “Just go.”

Peyton shut the door behind her. Gerald shook his head as I descended the steps. “I always knew,” the old man said again.

“Yeah, and so did your fucking son,” I replied, which had Gerald’s eyes widening.

With one final glance toward the house, I searched for Theodore in the windows. He wasn’t there. Unease rolled down my spine. I didn’t know which was worse. That he hadn’t interfered, or that he could be following Peyton inside the house.

Yeah. Another fucking night spent in my truck was guaranteed. There was too much uncertainty surrounding Theodore’s presence now. Even if she couldn’t forgive me yet, I had to get her out of that house.

Chapter Forty-Six:

suffering

Peyton

Itrashed a new bouquet of flowers every day at work. Silas’s text messages, his calls, and his conversations at my front door all went unanswered. But Silas King was relentless.

Some days I was angry. On most, sad. Such a conflicting intensity within me. To want and miss the one person I was choosing to ignore. Because of Silas, I chased. Because of Silas, I loved another, but not enough to stop thinking about him. Because ofhim, him, him,I didn’t know how to forgive myself.

For him, to exist near him, the things I’d done…

I was despicable. Silas’s lies had destroyed us, and I wasn’t sure how to see beyond that.

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